Book Review: The Brothers and Sisters Eatery by Gabe Reaume

The Brothers and Sisters Eatery by Gabe Reaume
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Captivating tale of culinary collaboration and kinship in 1920s Chicago.

The Brothers and Sisters Eatery by Gabe Reaume is a warm and captivating tale of two disparate families in 1920s Chicago, drawn together by the fathers' love of cooking and sharing their special family dishes with others. Samson, the head of the Sanders family, is a former slave from Sugar Land, Texas, with a gift for creating mouthwatering barbeque. His wife, Sandra, is an equally gifted baker of hard-to-resist fruit hand pies. Massimo "Mass" Messina is an immigrant from Sicily, brought to the U.S. after years of coaxing by his wife's older brother, Carmine Basile, a Chicago businessman with ties to the Sicilian mafia. Mass's life revolves around the dishes he's grown up with and perfected, and he plans to bring them to his new home by opening a restaurant on his own, without his brother-in-law's help. Both men require capital to keep their families afloat while pursuing their dreams, and the unlikely pair meets when their lunch pails are swapped on the first day of their new jobs at the Chicago Armour plant.

Two passionate, determined men and two loving, supportive families form the foundation of this inspirational, satisfying historical fiction story about immigrant experiences in 1920s Chicago. The two fathers' love of cooking is the common thread that draws them together, but it is their kindness, humanity, shared experiences, and like-mindedness that cement their enduring friendship. I liked that the families shared these qualities and meshed so well as they worked toward their common goal.

The author presents a vivid picture of life in Chicago and the social climate at that time. The attitudes towards Blacks and immigrants are a reminder of the past and, for some, a mirror of current relations. The two men drew the former slaughterhouse workers' particular ire because they were hired as replacements for the strikers. The descriptions of the work, practices, and conditions at the plant were eye-opening.

However, the plot is not just about the two families' paths to collaboration as chefs and, eventually, restaurateurs. The descriptions of their meals, mains, sides, and breads all had me watering at the mouth and wishing the author had included recipes at the end of the book! Also, suspenseful twists involving individuals from both men's pasts threaten not only their dreams but also their lives and those of their families!

The fathers' shared love of cooking and their willingness and determination to persevere, doing whatever it took to keep their families afloat while they worked toward a better life and future, is a tribute to fathers everywhere who are quietly and persistently doing the same: the perfect story as Father's Day approaches.

I recommend THE BROTHERS AND SISTERS EATERY to readers of historical fiction, especially those with an affinity for immigrant stories, men overcoming great odds, or early Chicago settings.

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Book Review: Case of the Bayfront Murder (Macaroni on Wheels Mystery, #1) by S.K. Derban

Case of the Bayfront Murder by S.K. Derban
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Brisk and energetic new cozy mystery featuring two enthusiastic amateur sleuths!

Case of the Bayfront Murder is the first book in author S.K. Derban’s Macaroni on Wheels Mystery series, and it is a unique debut story for a couple of reasons. With its pair of very enthusiastic amateur sleuths who get involved just because they want to, and a faith-forward foundation underlying the plot, the book offers fresh perspectives on the cozy mystery genre.

Terza Tiepolo, the owner of a catering business called Macaroni on Wheels, and her BFF and coworker, Moheenie Brickman, are the two amateur sleuths hot on the trail of a murder mystery. When Terza discovers the body of her catering client dead on his kitchen floor, she and Mo immediately agree they must conduct their own investigation into his murder. It’s not that they feel the detective assigned to the case is lame. In fact, it’s quite the opposite! The truth is, it’s just because they’re in a murder mystery book club that they adore and are proficient at guessing who-dun-it in the books they love.

Terza comes with a lively Italian family that gathers for a weekly Sunday dinner with all the siblings, spouses, children, and any stray friends. While Mo is married to Ranger, a San Diego lifeguard, Terza is still unattached, and the attraction to Detective Nicolas Garza is keen from the start. Another viable romantic interest is DEA Agent Conner Reeves, but as of this book, he’s firmly stuck in the friend zone.

The plot is well-paced, with the murder occurring early on and the women’s investigation starting the very next day. Terza is aggressive in her approach to digging up information, which both benefits and harms her. There are a couple of good suspects to consider and rule out, and the final resolution makes sense. I really enjoyed the women’s ingenuity and creative stretching of the truth and cover stories about what they were up to, which made for some fun and anxious moments!

I recommend CASE OF THE BAYFRONT MURDER to cozy mystery readers who enjoy a fun, light story with a faith-forward foundation.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.


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Children's Book Review: Ellis Johnson Might Be Famous (Cookies & Milk, #2) by Shawn Amos

Ellis Johnson Might Be Famous by Shawn Amos
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"Middle school is not for the weak," and don't you know it! Delightful follow-up to the author's debut novel, COOKIES & MILK!

Ellis Johnson Might Be Famous, the much-anticipated follow-up to Shawn Amos's debut novel, Cookies & Milk, is finally here and does not disappoint. Ellis Johnson and his friends return, this time in the middle of their first semester of middle school, and they have already noticed a change in the climate from the earlier grades. Everyone had to do some quick growing up, especially Ellis, who is encountering change at home and at Sunset Cookies.

Ellis is such a likable kid, full of self-confidence and plans for the future, constantly daydreaming about how he's going to make things happen. He loves his dad, whom he helped build his cookie store into a success, and dreams and schemes about improving business while maintaining the status quo in his family. The new woman in his dad's life really throws him for a loop. Young readers, especially, will relate to Ellis's feelings toward Sam but will easily pick up on the fact that he doesn't treat her well or handle the situation correctly. All readers can probably relate to Ellis's trepidation about returning to school after the fiasco at the Thanksgiving parade. As the man says, "Middle school is not for the weak." Ellis undergoes a great deal during this short time frame, but grows from the experience in positive ways.

I love the mid-1970s Hollywood setting and enjoyed the musical trip down memory lane with Uncle Wishbone. But we all know he was correct, right?

With its fast-paced, lively plot and its cast of engaging characters, I recommend ELLIS JOHNSON MIGHT BE FAMOUS to middle-grade readers and fans of the previous book.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy through TBR and Beyond Book Tours.

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